What is the most common cause of toxic megacolon?

What is the most common cause of toxic megacolon?

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is the most common initial cause of toxic megacolon. There are two main forms: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease.

What are the signs and symptoms of toxic megacolon?

Seek immediate medical help or have someone call 911 if you have severe stomach pain and these symptoms:

• Frequent diarrhea.
• Bloody diarrhea.
• Swelling in your belly.
• Fever.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Signs of shock, such as a weak pulse, cool or clammy skin, dilated eyes, confusion, and rapid or shallow breathing.

Can C diff cause permanent damage to colon?

That said, most people with C. difficile infection recover completely without any long-term consequences. Still, some people experience dangerous complications, a number of which can be fatal. The infection can often return after treatment, with 1 in 5 people getting another C.

What is the difference between C Diff and colitis?

Clostridium difficile (also called C. difficile) are bacteria that can cause swelling and irritation of the large intestine, or colon. This inflammation, known as colitis, can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

How does C diff cause toxic megacolon?

The incidence of toxic megacolon associated C. difficile colitis varies from 0.4%-3% of cases[12,13]. Toxic megacolon is thought to develop from inflammatory changes that penetrate into the muscularis propria resulting in neural injury, altered motility and dilation[13].

What is toxic megacolon associated with?

Toxic megacolon may occur in people with an inflamed colon due to: Ulcerative colitis, or Crohn disease that is not well controlled. Infections of the colon such as Clostridioides difficile. Ischemic bowel disease.

What is toxic megacolon?

Toxic megacolon occurs when swelling and inflammation spread into the deeper layers of your colon. As a result, the colon stops working and widens. In severe cases, the colon may rupture. The inflammation of Crohn disease is nearly always found in the ileocecal region.

What is toxic colitis?

Is there a toxic megacolon associated with C difficile colitis?

As the prevalence of C. difficile colitis increases and treatments become more refractory, clinicians will encounter more patients with C. difficile associated toxic megacolon in the future. Here, we review a case of toxic megacolon secondary to C. difficile colitis and review the current literature on diagnosis and management.

Is there such a thing as a toxic megacolon?

Toxic megacolon is a severe complication of Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile) colitis. As the prevalence of C. difficile colitis increases and treatments become more refractory, clinicians will encounter more patients with C. difficile associated toxic megacolon in the future.

What is the mortality rate of C difficile colitis?

The mortality rate of toxic megacolon secondary to C. difficile colitis is substantial and varies from 38% to 80% [ 5, 13 ]. Early recognition and aggressive treatment of toxic megacolon associated with C. difficile may lead to improved outcomes.

How often does toxic megacolon occur in pseudomembranous colitis?

Epidemiology. In pseudomembranous colitis, toxic megacolon occurs in 0.4-3% of patients. This number is expected to increase in proportion to the increasing prevalence of pseudomembranous colitis, which is thought to be due to the increased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.